The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-07-12
BECOMING FAIR.

The editorial articles from leading
eastern journals which have been re-
produced in The HERALD lately show
that many of the editors of the country
are acquiring an in elligent idea
idea of the condition of things existing
in this Territory. The calling of the
COnst tutionai Convention directed at
ten to Utah, and the labors of the
convention were SO satisfactory and
Commendable that fair men are con
Guiding that the. people of this de-
tendency are not nearly so black as
they have been painted by their enc
mics. 1t has been seen that there is a
marked change in the tone of the press
generally, and it is decidedly favor
able change. Aditors who have hitherto
been bitter and without reason
when speaking of the Mormons, are
msnifesting desire to be fair and are
actually suggesting the propriety of be-
ing just to the long afflicted Territory.
We reproduce below an editorial from
the Philadelphia Bulletin. the tone of
which would have astonished all Utah |
six months ago. When such hitherto
pronounced anti-Mormon journals as
the Bulletin Will speak in this manner
we may feel that there is hope for the
Territory:
The Constitutional Convention of Mormon
delegates now in session at Salt Lake City
will doubtless attract very general attention
throughout the country. II st ems to be
composed of earnest members of the sect
who are intent upon having Utah admit
ted as State. At its head is John T.
Game, who made such a vigorous contest ,
against Mr.. j kando phi Tucker in the de-
bate over the polygamy bill. Dispatches
declare that throughout Utah the interest
IN the convention Is intense, and that some
thing definite is expec ed from The next
congress by the people in their fight for full s
statehood The growth of the Territory has s
been remarkable 1t has assumed peculiar
political importance, and if it were not for
the obstinate stand maintained in favor of
polygamy, the question of Utah's admission
would at once become amomentous national
issue. In 1850. the population of Utah was |
but little over II 900; its present populs- {
ton is very nearly 100000 The inhabitants
have been distinguished as much for their {
thrift as for their bigotry. In retaining {
barren region for the purposes of ;
civilization they have developed sys- :
TENS of irrigation by far in advance !
OF any other IN the country. Great
lnuustIieS DeSlues those or agriculture have I
Deen advanced. Mines of silver have been g
found in every county of the Territory and 2
throughout the full extent of the mountain I
range from north to south. Great deposits l
OF antlmony and copper are known to "a
exist, and the enterprislng people seem to q
be making the best of the resources of the q
region. Care has been taken to establish a
good school system. A university at Salt
Lake City is partially supported by the q
government. In short with monogamy as =
the principle of their religion the Nor -
mons would be one of the most promising y
Territories in the west. During the supre-
macy OF the Democratic party Delegate
came evidently hopes to gain admission for O.
the Territory. Since the Republican party .
In It's first platform denounced polygamy Y
ana slavery as twin evils, the elders have l.
looked for what little they have expected at G
the hands Of decent citizens to the Demo
cratic party. And the present po1it cal :
significance OF the convention is due =
to the fact that, if admitted it will
probably be Democratic State When Mr..
CIeyeland was first elected there was talk of
pushing Utah Tor admission, aud the secur- 4
ing of two national Senators for the
Democratic side, was mentioned as an end
desirable to attain. With the present rela-
tive strength OF the United States Senate the
ADDITION OF two Senators would give the
Democrats full control of Congr> SIS, Delegate
Cs1ne is not only a psrliamentarian of the -
iirst rank. but he is also clear-headed poll
t1eian. That the present is an opportune n
for the Statehood appeal is obvious, AZ
and he Will make the best of the opportu- 3
nifty. Bat apart from partisan considera-
ttons, the Republican party will refuse to Y
permit the consideration of the proposition =
until something definite has been done by q
themselves to crush out polyg-
amy. This is the only condition upon which y
consistent Republicans could consider il q
10 them -